Improvement in machines for reaping and thrashing grain



UNITED STATES V'PATENT OFFICE.

L. B. LATHROP, OF SAN JOS, CALIFORNIA.

IIVIPIiOVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR REAPING AND THRASHING GRAIN.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 90,56l, dated May 25, 1869.

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, L. l. LATHROP, of San Jos, in thecounty of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented a new and Im-v proved Harvester; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear. and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to malte and use the same, ref erenee being had to the accompanying draw- Vings, forming part of tllisspecification, in

\\hich Figure 1, Sheet No. 1, is a plan or top view of my improved harvester. Fig. 2, Sheet No.

1, is a plan or top view of the double pole or tongue. Fig. 3, Sheet No. 1, is a side view of the same. Fig. 4, Sheet No. 2, is a side elevation of my improved harvester. Fig. 5, Sheet No. 2, is a vertical cross-section of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line .c x, Fig. l.' Fig.6, Sheet No. 2, is a vertical Iongitudinalsection oi' the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line y y, Fig. 1. Fig. 7, Sheet No. 3, is a vertical cross-section of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line z z, Fig. 1. Fig. S, Sheet indicate like parts of this machine are supported consists of two wings, A and B, the former being arranged in line with the draft, or with the tongue C, while the wing B is arranged at right angles with and in front of the wing A, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The whole frame is supported upon three Wheels, D, E, and F. The wheel D is the main wheel, and is arranged in a direct lille with the tongue O, and directly7 behind the same and at the left-hand side of the wing A. The wheel E is arranged behind the extreme end ofthe wing B and iu line with the wheel D. It is hung in a frame, G, which extends backward from the end of the wing B, and which is parallel with the wing A. The rear ends of these frames A and G are connected by two iron braces, H H, by which the solidity ofthe whole frame-work is increased and the rear end of the frame strengthened. The third wheel, F, is lullig in an upright frame, J, which is hinged to the front end ofthe main tongue G, and to the rear endof the lead-tongue I, in such a manner that the said lead-tongue can freely swing sidewise and up and down without affecting the position of the main tongue. When the lead-tongue is turning sidewise the wheel F will also turn in that direction, as its axle stands always at right angles with the leadtongue. As the wheel l) is directly in line with the tongue O, it must be exactly in line with and behind the wheel F, and as it is furthermorein line with the wheel E, (their axles, if continued, would meet to form one,) it will be seen that the wheels D, E, and F are arranged in the corners of a right-angled triangle. The whole frame is, so to sav, balanced on the wheel D,and when turning the machine will turn on the wheel ID, which will remain stationary, forming the center of the circle.

The wholeframe of the machine ismade of wood and iron or other suitable material, and is made ot' suiicient size and of suitable form, so that the mechanism and working parts, which will hereinafter be described, can be conveniently held therein.

The rear end ofthe tongue O is hinged to the frame A by a horizontal bolt-J2, as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4. In'iront of the frame A are two uprightposts, K, which are connected by a cross-bar on top, and which are lirmly secured tothe frame-work. A plate, a, is secured in the cross-bar, through which a vertical screw,

b, passes, and in which the latter is swiveled, so as to turn freely therein. A nut, c, is secured to an arm, d, which is pivoted to the `tongue C, and the screw b passes through this nut, and does, when turned by means ofa crank or handle, with which it is provided, as shown in Fig. 4, increase or decrease the distance between the top of the tongue and the plate a; or, in other words, raises or lowers the front of the whole frame-work. The object of this device for raising and loweriu g the frame is to adjust the height of the sickle or cutter bar for the purpose of clipping the heads from the tall and short straw.

The position and arrangement of the cutterbar will be hereinafter more fully explained.

rights in the front part-of the wing vA of the frame, as is clearly shown ill Figs. 1 and4.

This machine is designed to Vbe drawnl by at least eight horses, of which four may be at tached to the main tongue() in the usual man"- ner, and the other four to the lead-tongue I. For this purpose a `quadruple-tree, M, should be pivoted to the rear end ofthe tongues C and I, on each end of which adouble-trre, N, is arranged, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

Two whifetrees, OO, are suspended from the ends oteach double-tree, being secured to the frontedgeofthesamebymeansofstaple-hinges, as shown. The double-trees are secured to the upper surface ofthe quadru ple-tree, bein gpivoted thereto by pins e, which pass throughthe U- shaped metal clam psf, that inclose the doubletree, through the latter and the quadruple-tree. It is of great importance that'the double-tree should be arranged on top of and not hinged to the front edge of the quadruple-tree, as its ends are thereby prevented from striking against the quadruple-tree.

The main driving-wheel D is provided with internal gear, as shown in Fig. 4, and meshes into a pinion which is mounted on a horizon` tal shaft, P. The latter is parallel with the axle of the wheel D, and is hung in bearings which are arranged in the wing A of the main frame, as is clearly shown in Figs. l and 4.

Qis a horizontal shaft which is arranged parallel with the shaft P and across the lower part of the wingA of the frame, its one end resting on a bearing in the left-hand side ofthe said wing, whileits other end is supported by a frame, R, Which extends from the right-hand side ofthe wing A, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 The shaft Q receives motion from the shaft P by means of gear-wheels g.

Sis a horizontal shaft which passes at right angles through the wing B of the frame,its re'ar end being supported by the frame R. Motion is imparted to the shaft S from the shaft Q by means of bevel-gear wheels-h..

T is a horizontal shaft which is arranged in the wing B directly .below and parallel with the shaft S, from which it receives motion by means -of gear-wheels i, as is shown in Figs. 5 and 7.

U is a horizontal shaft which is arranged across the wing B of the frame close to the connection of the latter with the wing A. 0n its rear end is mounted a pinion which meshes Yinto the gear-wheel i on the shaft T. 'On the front end of the shaft U is arranged a crank,

k, (see Fig. 1,) to which the pitmanj is attached,

which connects the sickle-bar V with the said crank. The sickle-bar is arranged on the front edge of the wingB, and is guided in a ngerbar, W, in the usual manner.

To the extreme end of the sickle or cutter bar-@16,011 the right-hand end ofthe saineis secured the frontend of a spring, l, which is fastened tothe end ofthe wing B. The object oflhis spring is to keeptlle said cutter-bar constantly strained and to prevent it from bending and striking theY guards; also, t0 aid the sickle-barin making the. return stroke.v

From the above it will be seen that the cutter-bar receives its motion from the drivingwheel D by means ofthe shafts P, Q, S, T, and U, gear-wheels g, 7L, and t', crank k, and pitman y. A To the fri nt of the finger-bar W, or to the front edge of the wing B ofthe frame, are secured any desired number of curved bars X, which project forward and are bent down ward, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6. To the extreme end ofeach har X are secured the ends of two tines, Y Y, which are made of elastic wire, and which are bent back so that their rearends are above the cutter-bar. These wires diverge from the bar X, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

To the front end of the bar X is pivoted a short blade, m, (see Figs. 4 and 6,) which divides the grain as the machine is drawn forward, while the tinesYraise the drooping heads of such grain as may be bent without breaking the straw. In Fig. 1 but one such device X Y mis shown, although any desired number may be 'arranged in front o f the cutter-bar, so as t0 gather all the grain and keep it from fall ing upon the cutter-bar, the'tines guiding it directly upon an endless apron, Z, which is arranged behind the cutter-baron the wing B of the frame.

Above the cutter-bar, and somewhat in front of the cutting-edge of the same', is hung, parallel with the wing B, in braces n u, which project forward from the main frame of the machine, the axle A of a reel, B', which receives motion by a band which passes over pulleys on the shaft A and on a shaft, o, (the latter receiving its motion from the endless apron C', as Will hereinafter be more fully shown.) The reel B revolves in the direction of the arrow,

Fig. 4, and its longitudinal bars are provided with projecting teeth p p,-as shown, so that the cut grain will thereby be taken from the tines Y Y and ,thrown upon the apron Z. The tincs are thus,in connection with the blades m, made to actas combs for 'separating and guiding the straw, while the reel acts as a rake to throw it upon the apron Z. The apron Z is laid around Vthe rollers q and 1', the latter being mounted on the shaft T and the` former being hung lat the o" end of the wing B, parallel with the wing A of the frame, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5. The said apronv thus receives motion indirectly from the driving-Wheel D by means of the shafts P,Q,R, S,and T and gear-wheels g, h, and i, and directly from the shaft T. Wooden strips are secured to the apron,across its surface at suitable distances apart, and pins or teeth are set upon the faces of these strips,

as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

On the apron Z the cut straw is carried t0 the thrashing-cylinder D', which is arranged nearly below the driver's seat and almost in front ofthe wing A of the frame. This cylinder is arranged higher than the cutter-bar, and.

the apron, or at least .the left end oi' the same, should be elevated, so as to be able to feed the cylinder, while it is also necessary to keep that portion of the'apron whichisin rearof the cutter-har on a level with the same. Grooves are therefore arranged in the back and front edges of the wing B, wherein the ends ofthe wooden strips are guided, and thustheapron is brought into the shape which is clearly shown in Fig. 5.

L' is au upright wall, extending along the back edge of the wing Bof the. frame and in rear of the apron Z, and is of sufficient height to prevent the cut straw from falling or heilig thrown over the rear edge of the wing B.

0u the end ofthe shaft q which is revolved by the apron Z is arranged a pulley or cogwheel or other suitable device, by which motion is imparted to a roller, u, which is arranged above and parallel with the said shaft q and above the oft' end of the apron Z, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5. This roller u is either round, oval, or polygonal in cross-section, and is provided with teeth, as shown. .Its object is to prevent the grain from accumulating` on the guard F', which is arranged at the O' end ofthe wing B, as shown, and which separates the cut grain from the standing. `A toothed roller, U, is mounted on the shat't S above the inner end of the apron. The saine assists in feeding the thrashing-cylinder, and in keeping the throat of the latter clear of obstructions.

The thrashing device consists of the'cylinder or shell D', which is made of sheet metal or other suitable material, and of the revolving drum G', which is provided with teeth or pins around its circumference, as shown.

The drum G' is mounted on a horizontal shaft, w, which has its bearings in the front and back part of the wingB of the frame, and on the rear end of which is mounted a pinion, a'. H' is a horizontal shaft, which is hung in bearings which are secured in the extensioni'rame R, and which receive motion from the shaft Q by means of bevel-gear wheels b'. 0n its front end is mounted a gear-wheel, c', which meshes into the pinion a', and thus motion is imparted to the thrashingdrum Gr' from the wheel D by means of the shafts P Q H' and gear-wheels g, b', a', and c'. By varying the respective diameters of the pinions a' and c vthe velocity of the drum G' can be regulatedincreased or diminished-without varying that of the driving-wheel D.

, Below the thrashing-cylinder D' is arranged a stationary horizontal cylinder, I', which is open on top, and through which a horizontal shaft, d', passes. The latter receives rotary motion from a belt or cord passing over pulleys on the front ends ot' the shafts w and d'.

0n the shaft d' are secured wings of suit-able construct-ion, so that they constitute a fan,

` by which air is drawn through one ofthe open -ing-cyliuder.

ends of the cylinder I' and forced upward through the openingleftbetweeu the thrashingcylinder and the roller T. so that'a blast of wind is created immediately in front of the thrashing-cylinder and back of the endless apron Z t'or the purpose of preventing grain or straw from being carried around the roller T bythe said apron Z, and also to assist in feeding the thrashing-cylinder.A

From the thrashing-cylinder the straw and grain are discharged, through an opening, e', in the cylinder, upon the separating-screen J', which is clearly shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6. This separator consists of a wire. or other screen, to which a shaking, or rather a rocking, motion is imparted by means of two cranks,f'f', which are formed respectively on two horizontal shafts, 7c' la', as is clearly shown in Fig. 5. These shafts are hung in the wing B of the frameand parallel with the shalt ofthe thrash- They project beyond the rear of the wing A, and are each provided with a bevel-gear pinion, g', which mesh in bevel -gear wheels h' It', that are mounted on a shaft, L'. The latter has its bearings inthe wing B,and is arranged parallel with the same, in its rear andon the same incline as the bottom of the box M', as is clearly shown in Figs. L and 4. The shaft L' receives its motion by means ot a band or cord which passes over pulleys that are mounted on the shafts Q, and L'. The hottom of the box M', in which box the separator is arranged, and which forms the extremeleft end of the Wing B, is somewhat inclined toward the thrashing-cylinder, as shown in Fig. 5. The screen J is iliade of wooden cross hars, which are placed at suitable intervals, and which are connected by two longitudinal wooden strips at their ends. This wooden frameis covered with a wire or other netting, and is provided with projecting teeth,`as shown in Fig. 5, for holding and carrying the straw. As

the crankson the shafts k' la' project at equal angles from their respective shafts, the screen will always be held in the same inclination, but will be moved up and down and forward and backward bythe cranks. The straw will he carried up by the screen, and will be discharged from the machine at the left end ot' the Wing B, while the grain falls through the meshes in the screen upon the bottom ot' the box M', and slides down on the same upon the front end of an endless apron, C'.

By means of the cross-bars of the screenframe the motion ofthe grain on the aforesaid inclined bottom is facilitated during the backward move of the screen, as the said crossbars are then moved close over the said bottom.

The apron G' passes over two rollers, i', in frontand 0 in rear. These rollers are mounted on shafts that pass atright angles through the wing A, so that the said apron extends from the very front end of the wing A to almost the rear end of the same. The front portion ot' the apron C', or that part of it which is under 

